Derived from "The Wizard of Oz," while in the movie, the phrase is intended to mean "
don't pay any attention to the
wizard not being
real," it has evolved into a more literal and deeper phrase in modern times.
The fundamental moral lesson of the "Wizard of Oz" is that you MUST follow, follow, follow the "
yellow bricked road" to success with your
friends who have no brains, no hearts and no courage. Follow the "
yellow bricked road to success (the Emerald City) no matter the cost." The Emerald City representing "utopia" or an oasis like (based in illusion) paradise. Follow the road no matter what to the "Emerald City" and when you ultimately realize your entire journey has been for naught, for a
lie, for a fake made up imaginary oasis, you are to remember most importantly of all to ""pay no attention to that man behind the curtain"" or "remember to forget that it's all been for a lie."
In the new movie 'Wicked' the entire plot relies on you following your programming and always remembering to forget that the Emerald City has always been fake, the
wizard has never been
real. Thus, the entirety of the plot is based on a lie and falls apart RAPIDLY if you
don't remember to forget.
